I. On January 8-9 , 2006, the NC paid a visit to the project and subsequently reported as follows:

The project location, Baan (village) Don Moon was surrounded by a montane forest , a watershed for the Li River. Target population earned their livings by agriculture, mostly paddy and longan. Cash crops like corn and bean for quick money were very attractive supplementary crops. Patches of land degradation left by deforestation were all around. Further encroachment was quoted as still possible at the rate of one or two metres per year, even though there was an established official boundary between forest and cultivated areas.

Two established learning centres of the projects were visit. The first comprised a premises of about a quarter of an acre. This centre served as both a class room for producing compost and organic fertilizer and a production facility. Members of seven agricultural network were said to use the service. On top of GEF/SGP funding, the provincial CEO governor contributed to additional equipment in facilitating the production. The contribution was Baht: 280,000. The project reported that the activities were implemented as planned with some producing most favourable effect ? more membership request, just to name a few. The production rate was estimated at two tons per day , totaling 16 tons since it was put in operation.

The second served as a demonstration of sustainable agriculture for community members and youth groups - how to make good use of agro-waste to generate supplementary income , in stead of burning. Project members related that the replication was currently happening in the village.

Through participating and mentoring role of the Raksthai Foundation Lamphoon Office for about four years, target population exhibited increased capacity in term of both technicality and institution. Therefore, strong baseline looked apparent.

The participation and capacity of target population were witnessed to be fairly outstanding. With this initial success, it would be noteworthy to learn and record steps taken by the group in reaching out to and/or networking with other 11 villages sharing the same the ecosystems.

RECORDS OF NON-GEF CONTRIBUTION

- Half - day of transportation from Rak thai Foundation and personnel = Baht: 2,500
- Two-day lodging & meals and pre-existing facility = Baht: 3,000

Report prepared by: Poonsin Sreesangkom Date: 10 December 2006

II. The project participated in the mid-course evaluation workshop of Thailand-Year-6 GEF/SGP , organized on 25-27 January 2006 . It was one of 27 projects sending project leaders or representatives to report to the workshop on progress of activities, immediate outputs/results that could be witnessed or observed, problems / issues and solution.

With only a few exception, majority of projects concisely reported progress and summarized immediate outputs and results. The report format included from power point to photos to dissemination materials, and to verbal presentation. There was one project bringing product of chemical-free vegetable for sale and show at the venue.

All presentations mentioned about problems and issues, with varying degree, but they had been corrected or rectified. Or at least, the project possessed idea or approach to do so. However, there were a few projects that presented problems and hot issues on environment soliciting further discussion and advice from participants.

On the final day, participants spent half-an-hour sharing idea on forging future networking of the year-6 projects and submitted approach for sustainability. Majority of participants agreed to be tied by natural network, without any regulation or commitment, but hearts and minds. There were two members pledging their times and skill to help others according to their availability.

As a reminder and incentives to ensure most effective implementation of remaining activities, the NC proposed the idea of strategic project where successful SGP projects could gather together so that community actions affecting global benefits would be clearer.

The workshop had seen substantial sharing of experience, especially on related issues of project activities. Somehow, it was felt that the remaining activities would be carried out to their completion. Another evidence, a natural network of environment was formed with a lot of participants winning one another hearts.

III. The progress report was received on February 20, 2006 , with details as follows:


Activities carried out:

1. Launching study tours, seminars and workshop on related subjects
2. Providing training on organic compost production
3. Meeting amongst lead members for formulating implementation ,monitoring and dissemination plans
4.Conducting training on chemical use and agro-waste management
5.Producing organic compost in both solid and liquid form and putting into use appropriately
6.Allotting areas as demonstration plots in five schools
7. Establishing 20 pilot model plots for organic substance : 10 plots for longan, five plots for paddy
and five plots for corn

Immediate Outputs/Results:

1. Lead members being able to launch resource inventories process and to conduct relevant appraisal
2. Lead members being able to develop capacity in producing organic substance in relation to types of
plants
3. Target population gaining insight on adverse effect of chemicals
4. Emergence of demonstration plots comparing the result of organic and chemical substances

IV. The completion report was received on December 1, 2007 through e-mail, with following details.

Activities carried out:
1. Building capacity of target population through study tours, seminars, training and workshop on related subjects -organic compost production, chemical use and agro-waste management
2. Producing organic compost in both solid and liquid form and putting into use appropriately

Results
1. Increased capacity of major 63 stakeholders witnessed through ability to articulate environmental problems in relation to their daily livelihood ? and respective solution, ability to produce both liquid and solid organic compost ( six tons) and an established learning centre for production of organic compost
2. Emergence of demonstration plots ( four acres for longan, two acres for paddy and two for corns ) to compare strength and weakness between organic substance and chemical ones
3. Emergence of 10 model plots being applied only with organic substances

Project communication: The project was visited by the following groups.
1. A group of 120 persons comprising students and company staff from Japan
2. A group of 25 members of local administrative organization from Mae Jaem District, Chiangmai Province
3. Members of Lamphoon Provincial Administrative Organization
4. Staff from Nakhornsawan Paper and Sugar Factory
5. A group from a Japanese NGO
6. A group of 39 members of Onion and Longan Grower Network

Participatory Evaluation: Conducted thrice -monthly
Participants: Project members and community leaders
Methods: Meetings to share and discuss efficiency of implementation including problems & issues and suggested solution

Impact: Non-project members , Tambol Administrative Organization and relevant government units paying attention to the results of the project and were seen giving some support to initiate the activities in their respective areas.

Future Plan: Together with two other SGP projects (THA-04-01 and THA-04-02), the project played leading role in establishing the Local Care Network in Thung Hua Chang District perusing community development and environment conservation activities. Currently, two main activities launched were (1) Community Forest Management Fund and Sustainable Agriculture at tambol level and (2) Production of bio-fuel starting from planting Jetropha in the fields to processing them into usable fuel for farm machine.